Roman Key Line Blog

Edict of Milan (extra credit)

2006-12-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

The reign of Constantine is certainly an important turning point in the history of Rome and in the history of the church. Please read through the Edict of Milan (either the hard-copy I gave you, or the online edition here. Cite one line that particularly well shows a way in which Constantine changes things for the church.

Constantine (Extra Credit)

2006-11-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Diocletian and Constantine attempted to solve, not only the political and social problems of Rome, but also fundamental economic problems as well. Bruce Bartlett argues that the two did exactly the wrong thing. Please read Bartlett's article How Excessive Government Killed Rome. Do you think Bartlett's criticisms accurate? Why, or why not?

The Gospel of Luke (Extra Credit)

2006-11-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

Many Romans of the imperial period followed Virgil, Ovid, and Horace in hoping for a political leader who would solve Rome's problems. At the same time, many other Romans were looking to an entirely different hope. The Gospel of Luke is particularly good at describing that hope. Please read through a chapter or two of Luke's gospel, and pick out a verse that might have had particular appeal to those living under the rule of Imperial Rome.

Many different Bible translations are available at the Blue Letter Bible site.

Marcus Aurelius--Meditations

2006-11-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

Plato said that, in an ideal society, the philosophers would be the kings, or the kings would be philosophers. Marcus Aurelius in some ways would seem to be exactly the kind of "philosopher emperor" Plato would have wanted. Please read the opening sections of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Choose a line that particularly well shows one of the things Aurelius particularly values, and note whether this value would make him a good emperor or not.

Tacitus Histories (Extra Credit)

2006-11-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

Most of the historical works written by the Romans disappeared long ago. But while other books were lost, Tacitus' works were often copied, studied and preserved. Can you guess why this might be so? Please read the first few paragraphs of Tacitus' Histories, and see if you can find a line or two that explains the appeal of Tacitus and his approach to history.

Ovid

2006-11-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

Most of the Greek and Roman myths you read in high school were retellings of stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Choose your favorite myth and read Ovid's version of that myth. Read also one of the Ovid myths that you *hadn't* read before. Cite one example for each myth that shows particularly well Ovid's "insight into the human condition."

By the way, I loved your skits from today in class. If we have time Thursday, we'll try dramatizing an Ovid theme or two.

If you want to get the overall picture of the Metamorphoses, see this excellent introduction and commentary by Larry Brown.

More Virgil--Aeneas in the Underworld

2006-11-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Please skim through the last half of Book VI of the Aeneid, Virgil's story of Aeneas in the Underworld. Again, I'd like to have you pick out a line or two that illustrates well one of Virgil's "insights into the human condition." How does this line show Virgil's ideas on the meaning of life, life after death, politics, etc.?

Virgil--The Aeneid

2006-11-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Please read Book I and Book II of Virgil's Aeneid. Skimming through Book I is sufficient. Please read Book II with a bit more care. Cite a line or two that particularly well show Virgil's "insight into the human condition," i.e., that shows his understanding of subjects like fate, the relationships between men and women, relationships between men and gods, the impact of war, etc.

The Julio-Claudian Emperors (Extra Credit)

2006-10-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars is one of the most important sources for the early days of the Principate. Suetonius includes all sorts of fascinating biographical details about the men he describes--along with plenty of sometimes unverifiable gossip and rumor.

For extra credit, please read Suetonius' account of Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula), Claudius, or Nero. Pick a line that illustrates particularly well either the emperor's achievements or the way in which that emperor's life was a personal traagedy, or a tragedy for the people of Rome.

Julius Caesar II

2006-10-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Please skim through Plutarch's Life of Caesar. Pick out a section that particularly well shows Caesar's ability and his versatility or a section that shows particularly well why Caesar is such a controversial figure. Explain your choice.

Some of you might find particularly interesting the accounts of Caesar's battles, something I didn't talk about in class much. Note Sections 15-20, for instance, a summary of Caesar's campaign in Gaul.

Julius Caesar (Extra Credit)

2006-10-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am late getting this posted, so this blog will be for extra credit.

Two years after his death, the Roman Senate declared Caesar a god. This gave Roman biographers the unusual task of recounting the life of a man who was, by official proclamation, a divine being. By the time the biographer Suetonius writes his Life of the Deified Julius, the Roman people has worshipped Caesar as a god for more than 150 years. Please read through Divus Julius, and pick out a line that shows especially well why the Roman people might have accepted Caesar as divine or a line that shows that regarding Caesar as a god was more than a little strange.

Crassus, Pompey, Cicero and their Contemporaries (Extra Credit)

2006-10-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

I'm very late getting this posted, so today's blog is optional.

Please read Plutarch's account of one of the many "ambitious young men" who lived during what is sometimes called the age of Cicero. Pick out a key line that shows how this man's work might have tended to support or destroy republican government in Rome. Explain why you chose this particular line. Useful are these abridged biographies of Crassus, Cicero, Pompey, Sertorius, Cato the Younger, and Lucullus.

One more Plautus Play

2006-09-28T09:07:00.001-07:00

Please read The Pot of Gold, Miles Gloriosus (The Swaggering Soldier), or The Brothers Menaechmus. Cite a line or two that shows something one might learn about Roman history from the plays of Plautus. What does this play have to say about Roman values, family relationships, romantic relationships, day-to-day life, religion, etc.?

If you like, you may instead read and comment on one of the plays of Terence (The Mother-in-Law, Phormio, or any of the other Terence plays on the Perseus site (www.perseus.tufts.edu).

The Prisoners (Captivi)

2006-09-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Please read Plautus' The Prisoners (Captivi). Cite a line from this play that shows something about Roman society or Roman history one might not learn from a more conventional historical source, e.g., something about day-to-day life in Rome, something about Roman values, or something about the Roman sense of humor. Explain why you chose this particular line. Alternatively, note somethng Plautus has done with one of the five "narrative essentials" (plot, character, theme, setting, and tone) that shows something important about Roman history.

Pseudolus

2006-09-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Please read Plautus' Pseudolus. The Perseus site is a bit hard to navigate. I'll try to find a more easily read online version and post the link later.

Cite a line from Pseudolos that shows something about Roman society or Roman history one might not learn from a more conventional historical source, e.g., something about day-to-day life in Rome, something about Roman values, or something about the Roman sense of humor. Explain why you chose this particular line.

Gaius Marius

2006-09-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Marius was in some ways a great Roman hero. However, he also contributed to bringing disaster on Rome. Please read Plutarch's Life of Marius, either in the abridged version here or the unabridged version here. Cite a passage that particularly illustrates one of Marius' strengths or weaknesses.

Sallust

2006-09-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Please read the introduction to Sallust's War with Jugurtha. Pick out what you consider to be the most important/most interesting line from this selection. If other students have chosen a different line, explain why *your* line is even more important or more interesting.

As an alternative, pick out the line from Sallust you consider the worst, or the least interesting. If other students have chosen a different line, explain why your line is even worse or less interesting.

Selections from Plutarch's Lives

2006-09-08T12:14:00.001-07:00

"All history is biography," said Emerson, and he's certainly right in thinking that an understanding of the lives of individual men and women is essential to history. Fortunately for us, many ancient writers shared Emerson's idea of the importance of biography, and they've left us many fascinating accounts of important Roman leaders. Among the most interesting biographies are those contained in Plutarch's "Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans." Please read one of the following selections from Plutarch. Cite an incident or sentiment that seems to you particular important in understanding Roman character/values/history, and explain why you chose this particular passage/event.

Abridged versions:

Tiberius Gracchus, Gaius Gracchus, Fabius Maximus, Cato the Elder, Camillus

Unabridged versions:

Tiberius Gracchus, Gaius Gracchus, Fabius Maximus, Cato the Elder, Camillus

Selections on Roman Warfare

2006-09-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Times of war tend to bring out both the strengths and weaknesses of a society. This is particularly true of Republican Rome. Please read through one or two of the selections linked below. Pick out an incident/passage that shows either the surprising nature of Roman success or one of the characteristics of Republican Rome that makes that success not so surprising.

Selections you should find interesting include: Livy's description of the Roman method of declaring war, Livy's account of the war with and eventual destruction of Veii (Book V, sections 1-23), Livy's account of the Sack of Rome by the Gauls and Camillus' rescue of Rome (Book V, sections 33-55), Polybius' description of The Battle of Cannae, Polybius' comparison of the Roman maniple to the Macedonian phalanx, and Polybius' description of Roman government.

The Twelve Tables

2006-08-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

Please read through this translation of the the Twelve Tables, Rome's first written laws (also available in an abridged version here). How impressed are you with this law code? Cite an example of what you consider to be a particularly good law or a particularly bad law from this code. Explain how the law you cite would have tended to either strengthen or weaken the Roman Republic.

Livy, Book I

2006-08-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

Please read the Preface and Book I of Livy's History of Rome (also available here). Read the preface carefully. Skim through Book I, concentrating on stories you find particularly interesting.

Livy believed that the study of history was important because of its application to our own lives. In particular, he notes that history is full of examples of how we ought to behave and how we ought not to behave. Cite a line or summarize a passage from Livy that you think particularly well illustrates the value of history/the lessons history has for us.

Welcome!

2006-08-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

Brek-ek-ek-ek-coax-coax... and welcome to Roman Keyline Blog!

You have just crossed the river Styx and are ready to join Aeschylus and Euripides in a great line contest. Fortunately for you, you don't have to invent your own lines. Just pick out a great line from whatever Roman writer we happen to be studying in History 422 this week and explain why this line is key to understanding the whole work or particularly worth remembering and applying to real life.